The much awaited film “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 2” is hitting theaters on January 28, 2017. Last week, fans were treated to the first teaser trailer of the film.
The first installment “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons” was released last 2013 and set several records at the Chinese box-office. The film was a critical and commercial success, garnering 94% from film review aggregator RottenTomatoes as well as grossing over $215 million worldwide.
It's no surprise that the fans are eagerly awaiting for this sequel. Leading the cast is Kris Wu as Tang Zeng Monk, a monk who must work with his disciples to become a demon-exorcising mega team. Superstars Lin Gengxin, Yao Chen, Lin Yun, Bao Bei'er, Da Peng, Wang Likun, Wang Duo, Zhang Mei'er and former basketball player Mengke Bateer are also in the cast. China.org reports that this action-adventure comedy based on the ancient Chinese fantasy novel boasts a budget as high as 400 million yuan ($63.89 million).
Filmmaker Stephen Chow of comedy blockbusters “Shaolin Soccer” (2001), “Kung Fu Hustle” (2004), “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons” (2013), and the highest grossing Chinese film ever, “The Mermaid” (2016), serves as the writer and executive producer for this sequel. He teams up with wuxia film wizard Tsui Hark who will take on the directorial reigns. Martial Arts king Tsui Hark is known for his masterful work in the “Once Upon a Time in China” film franchise as well as in “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame” (2010), “The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate” (2011), “Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon” (2013), and “The Taking of Tiger Mountain” (2014). With Chow and Tsui working together, “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 2” is undoubtedly a must-see epic!
